End of the reel for London's local cinemas?

3.54.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 17th Jul 2003

Small, local cinemas are struggling to stay open according to new research by the Liberal Democrats.

Attendance figures are down in half of London's smaller venues, revealed a survey of the capital's cinemas conducted by Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat London assembly member.

Many cinemas - large and small - also reported concerns about:

· Community safety - 'Problems around the Tube area prevent people coming.'

· Funding - 'There is very little funding available for cinemas such as ours.'

· High rates - 'I would really like to expand the cinema…no idea where the money would come from…can't lower the prices due to the rates being high.'

Ms Featherstone warned: "London is in danger of losing many of its local gems, with out-of-town multiplexes replacing high street cinemas. Just last year we saw the closure of cinemas in Catford, Greenwich and Kingston.

"The loss of a cinema can have serious consequences on a local economy. Cinemas do not just provide entertainment. By drawing people into the high street, they can provide many social and economic spin-offs. For example, as well as boosting the evening economy of a local high street, cinemas can help improve safety on the streets at night because of the increase in visitors."

She added: "Without a local cinema, elderly people, those with disabilities and people without access to a car are denied the pleasure of visiting the cinema. Others prefer the ambience of a local cinema to an out-of-centre multiplex, and the diversity of film choice smaller, independent venues can provide.

Ms Featherstone has sent the survey results to Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, and has called on him to do more to support the cinema industry: "The Mayor has merely touched on the importance of local cinema in his draft culture strategy - his final strategy must go further and outline exactly how the GLA will work with cinemas, local authorities, local communities and other agencies to promote and support local cinemas," she said.

"I have asked the Mayor to use his planning powers to protect the capital's cinematic heritage and to lobby government for additional funding, particular to improve access and to set up local educational programmes.

"I also called on him to do more to encourage Londoners to visit their local cinemas with advertising campaigns on public transport for example and ticket promotions similar to his theatre campaign."

ENDS

Notes to editor:

1. This research was conducted by the Office of Lynne Featherstone, London Assembly member. Information was provided by 34 cinemas in London, out of a total of 98 cinemas that were invited to respond.

2. 50 per cent of small (independent cinemas and those with capacities of less than 850 seats) reported that attendance figures at their cinema were going down.

3. Only 24 per cent of the cinemas that responded received any public grant.

4. Only three per cent of all the cinemas that responded had received any literature or correspondence from the Mayor, and only 44 per cent were aware that the Mayor was publishing a cultural strategy for London.

5. To receive the full results and comments by individual cinemas please contact Donna Hill on 020 7983 4336.